Seattle police sergeant arrested for DUI

A Seattle police sergeant was arrested last weekend for investigation of drunken driving.

The officer, identified as Joe Fountain, was pulled over by Seattle police after they saw him commit a series of traffic violations just before midnight Friday, according to a department statement. The officers recognized the driver as an SPD sergeant, who they suspected was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The officers summoned the State Patrol to take over the investigation.

The Chevrolet Impala driven by Fountain was an unmarked Seattle Police Department vehicle, which reportedly had been damaged.

Fountain was taken to Harborview Medical Center where a blood sample was taken. He was cited and released to a Seattle police captain.

Fountain is a a 22-year veteran of the department currently assigned to the Special Operations Bureau, according to Seattle police. At the time of the incident, it does not appear he was on duty, the department says.

Fountain will be transferred pending the investigation, according to Seattle police.

In October, John Fox, a veteran Seattle police detective was charged with drunken driving after a four-car accident in Mukilteo. Fox, 46, was driving a city-owned SUV when he was involved in the accident.

About The Today File

The Today File is a general news blog featuring real-time coverage of Seattle and the Northwest. It is reported by the news staff of The Seattle Times and includes stories from The Associated Press and McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.